Alternative radiation treatment modalities Medulloblastoma i

Alternative radiation treatment modalities. Medulloblastoma is the most common

malignant brain tumor in children. Consider a pediatric patient to be treated with craniospinal

irradiation to the entire CNS. Available radiation modalities include:

a) Megavoltage x-rays

b) Neutrons, and

c) Protons

Which modality would you recommend and why?

Solution

Proton beam is used to treat the pediatric patients. A high energy Xrays penetrate not only tumor cells but also healthy tissues surrounding the tumor which is undesired. While neutrons are chargeless they also intetact very less with the matter and peneyrate more through the tissues.

But protons being massive and charged interacts more and penetrates less. So protons are more useful compared to other radiations.

Thus, option C is correct.